HOMETOWN HEROES

Sampson pitching in Arizona Fall League

Forest grad Keyvius Sampson is pitching in the Arizona Fall League as a member of the Peoria Javelinas. He has pitched six innings thus far, allowing three hits, two runs (both unearned) and striking out four.

Published: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 9:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 9:47 p.m.

Keyvius Sampson's season has extended into October. The minor league pitcher from Forest High School is a member of the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.

The league consists of top prospects from around the sport, giving scouts a better idea of how players stack up against tougher competition.

Sampson, drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2009 draft, ended the 2013 season in Triple-A. The righty has logged six innings for the Javelinas over four relief outings. He has allowed three hits and two runs (both unearned), while striking out four.

In the regular season this year, he went 12-7 with a 3.57 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 141.1 innings in 28 games (27 starts) for Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson.

Peoria is made up of players from Houston, Seattle, Philadelphia, Kansas City and San Diego. Games started Oct. 8 and wrap up Nov. 14 for the Javelinas (4-7). Six other Padres' minor leaguers are on Peoria's roster.

TERRENCE BROOKS AND P.J. WILLIAMS: The Florida State defensive backs from Marion County helped the Seminoles crush Clemson, 51-14, on Saturday night in a matchup of top-five unbeaten ACC teams. Brooks, a Dunnellon graduate, started at safety and finished with five tackles and a fumble recovery on the first play from scrimmage that set up an FSU touchdown three plays later. Williams, a sophomore cornerback from Vanguard, started and had three tackles.

FSU is now ranked third in the nation by The Associated Press and hosts North Carolina State this weekend.

FRANKIE VELEZ: The Trinity Catholic alum kicked a 23-yard field goal in Florida's 36-17 loss at Missouri on Saturday. The redshirt junior walk-on leads the Gators in points over the last two games with nine. He also kicked a pair of field goals in his debut at LSU on Oct. 12.

Sophomore running back Mark Herndon (Forest) and sophomore receiver Latroy Pittman (North Marion) also got on the field for the now-unranked Gators, who are 4-3, and off until they face Georgia on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville.

ANTONIO ALLEN: The Trinity Catholic alum played 71 of 76 defensive snaps at safety for the New York Jets in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win at home against New England. Allen defended three passes and was matched up for most of the day on Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots' Pro Bowl tight end who was making his season debut. In the third quarter, Allen jumped in front of a Tom Brady pass intended for Gronkowski and returned the interception 23 yards for a touchdown. Allen, in his second NFL season out of South Carolina, also tied for the team lead in tackles with nine.

CORTEZ ALLEN: The North Marion and Citadel grad had seven tackles in the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-16 win over Baltimore on Sunday. Allen, a third-year pro, also defended a pass from his cornerback spot.

JEREMIAHA GATES: The Trinity Catholic graduate is contributing for Samford (5-2) at running back. The junior had six carries for 22 yards and a catch for five more in a 34-10 win at Appalachian State on Oct. 12. Gates has played in three games and has 71 yards on 18 carries for the Bulldogs, ranked 22nd in the latest Sports Network poll. Samford is a Division I FCS team in Homewood, Ala.

CAMERON LIVINGSTON: The Vanguard grad has emerged as one of Weber State's top receivers this season. The freshman is second on the 1-7 Wildcats with 18 catches for 229 yards in seven starts. His two touchdowns lead the receiving corps. Livingston caught five balls for 81 yards in a 34-16 loss to fifth-ranked Montana State. Weber State competes in the Division I FCS and is based in Ogden, Utah.

ALLEE STELOGEANNIS: The Forest graduate has seen action in all but three of the University of Tampa's 19 volleyball matches this season. The freshman outside hitter has 44 kills and 54 points for the 18-1 Spartans. Tampa visits Rollins College Wednesday night in a Sunshine State Conference match.

Vanguard alum MaryEllen Pole is a sophomore at Rollins. Pole has played in all 21 matches and has 66 digs from her setter spot for the 17-4 Tars.

ANNE-MARIE BLANEY: The former Belleview cross country runner continues to blaze the way at the University of Central Florida. Blaney finished first at UCF's home meet Friday afternoon with a 6K (3.7 miles) time of 21:34.46. In five meets for the Knights this fall, Blaney has three first-place finishes, a second and a third. Next up is the American Athletic Conference meet Nov. 2.

<p>Keyvius Sampson's season has extended into October. The minor league pitcher from Forest High School is a member of the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.</p><p>The league consists of top prospects from around the sport, giving scouts a better idea of how players stack up against tougher competition.</p><p>Sampson, drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2009 draft, ended the 2013 season in Triple-A. The righty has logged six innings for the Javelinas over four relief outings. He has allowed three hits and two runs (both unearned), while striking out four.</p><p>In the regular season this year, he went 12-7 with a 3.57 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 141.1 innings in 28 games (27 starts) for Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson.</p><p>Peoria is made up of players from Houston, Seattle, Philadelphia, Kansas City and San Diego. Games started Oct. 8 and wrap up Nov. 14 for the Javelinas (4-7). Six other Padres' minor leaguers are on Peoria's roster.</p><p><b>TERRENCE BROOKS AND P.J. WILLIAMS:</b> The Florida State defensive backs from Marion County helped the Seminoles crush Clemson, 51-14, on Saturday night in a matchup of top-five unbeaten ACC teams. Brooks, a Dunnellon graduate, started at safety and finished with five tackles and a fumble recovery on the first play from scrimmage that set up an FSU touchdown three plays later. Williams, a sophomore cornerback from Vanguard, started and had three tackles.</p><p>FSU is now ranked third in the nation by The Associated Press and hosts North Carolina State this weekend.</p><p><b>FRANKIE VELEZ:</b> The Trinity Catholic alum kicked a 23-yard field goal in Florida's 36-17 loss at Missouri on Saturday. The redshirt junior walk-on leads the Gators in points over the last two games with nine. He also kicked a pair of field goals in his debut at LSU on Oct. 12.</p><p>Sophomore running back Mark Herndon (Forest) and sophomore receiver Latroy Pittman (North Marion) also got on the field for the now-unranked Gators, who are 4-3, and off until they face Georgia on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville.</p><p><b>ANTONIO ALLEN:</b> The Trinity Catholic alum played 71 of 76 defensive snaps at safety for the New York Jets in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win at home against New England. Allen defended three passes and was matched up for most of the day on Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots' Pro Bowl tight end who was making his season debut. In the third quarter, Allen jumped in front of a Tom Brady pass intended for Gronkowski and returned the interception 23 yards for a touchdown. Allen, in his second NFL season out of South Carolina, also tied for the team lead in tackles with nine.</p><p><b>CORTEZ ALLEN:</b> The North Marion and Citadel grad had seven tackles in the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-16 win over Baltimore on Sunday. Allen, a third-year pro, also defended a pass from his cornerback spot.</p><p><b>JEREMIAHA GATES:</b> The Trinity Catholic graduate is contributing for Samford (5-2) at running back. The junior had six carries for 22 yards and a catch for five more in a 34-10 win at Appalachian State on Oct. 12. Gates has played in three games and has 71 yards on 18 carries for the Bulldogs, ranked 22nd in the latest Sports Network poll. Samford is a Division I FCS team in Homewood, Ala.</p><p><b>CAMERON LIVINGSTON:</b> The Vanguard grad has emerged as one of Weber State's top receivers this season. The freshman is second on the 1-7 Wildcats with 18 catches for 229 yards in seven starts. His two touchdowns lead the receiving corps. Livingston caught five balls for 81 yards in a 34-16 loss to fifth-ranked Montana State. Weber State competes in the Division I FCS and is based in Ogden, Utah.</p><p><b>ALLEE STELOGEANNIS:</b> The Forest graduate has seen action in all but three of the University of Tampa's 19 volleyball matches this season. The freshman outside hitter has 44 kills and 54 points for the 18-1 Spartans. Tampa visits Rollins College Wednesday night in a Sunshine State Conference match.</p><p>Vanguard alum MaryEllen Pole is a sophomore at Rollins. Pole has played in all 21 matches and has 66 digs from her setter spot for the 17-4 Tars. </p><p><b>ANNE-MARIE BLANEY:</b> The former Belleview cross country runner continues to blaze the way at the University of Central Florida. Blaney finished first at UCF's home meet Friday afternoon with a 6K (3.7 miles) time of 21:34.46. In five meets for the Knights this fall, Blaney has three first-place finishes, a second and a third. Next up is the American Athletic Conference meet Nov. 2.</p><p>------</p><p><i>Submit Hometown Heroes information to Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com.</i></p>